Jennifer Robertson

Jennifer Robertson (born November 24, 1971)[1] is a Canadian actress, writer, and comedian. She is known for her starring role as Jocelyn Schitt in the CBC sitcom Schitt's Creek (2015–2020), for which she won a Screen Actors Guild Award and received nominations for four Canadian Screen Awards.

Jennifer Robertson
Robertson in 2016
Born (1971-11-24) November 24, 1971 (age 52)
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Other namesJenn Robertson
Occupations
  • Actress
  • writer
  • comedian
Years active1998–present
Children1

She has appeared in numerous other shows, including the CBC comedy series This Hour Has 22 Minutes (2003–2004), the CTV sketch comedy series Comedy Inc. (2003–2010), the Disney Channel fantasy film Twitches (2005), the Family Channel teen sitcom Wingin' It (2010–2012), and the Netflix series Ginny & Georgia (2021–present).

Early life

Robertson was born in Canada,[2] the daughter of Bob Robertson who was one half of comedy duo Double Exposure.[3] Raised in Vancouver, British Columbia,[4] she has a brother, Patrick.[3]

Career

Robertson made her acting debut in a 1998 episode of the sketch comedy series SketchCom. She went on to appear in various other television series, including Twice in a Lifetime (2001), Point Blank (2002),[5] The Gavin Crawford Show (2002), and The Seán Cullen Show (2003).[6]

She received further recognition for writing and starring in the comedy series This Hour Has 22 Minutes (2003–2004) and Comedy Inc. (2003–2010).[7]

In 2004, Robertson wrote and starred in the lead role of the television film To Die 4. In 2005, she starred in the Disney Channel made-for-television film Twitches.[8][9] She went on to appear in other American made-for-television film, including Knights of the South Bronx (2005) and Relative Chaos (2006). She also co-starred as anchorwoman Jennifer Lange in the short-lived Fox News Channel satire comedy series The 1/2 Hour News Hour (2007).[10]

Robertson guest starred as an annoyed flight attendant in the Disney Channel sitcom Hannah Montana (2007), and voiced Tricia in the animated teen comedy series 6teen. She starred as Angela Montclaire in the Family Channel teen sitcom Wingin' It, which aired from April 2010 to May 2012. She portrayed Cece Goldsworthy in the tenth season of the long-running teen drama series Degrassi: The Next Generation (2010–2011). From 2013 to 2014, she hosted the HGTV reality competition series Canada's Handyman Challenge.[11]

Robertson gained further acclaim for her starring role of Jocelyn Schitt, the mayor's wife, in the CBC sitcom Schitt's Creek (2015–2020).[12][13] For her performance in the series, she earned a nomination for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series and four Canadian Screen Awards for Best Supporting or Guest Actress in a Comedy.[14][15][16][17]

In 2020, Robertson was cast in one of the lead roles in the Netflix drama series Ginny & Georgia.[18] Robertson stars as Ellen Baker in all ten episodes of the series,[19] which premiered on Netflix on February 24, 2021,[20] and attracted more than 52 million subscribers on the platform.[21] It was subsequently renewed for a second season.[21] Robertson had to learn sign language for her role on the series.[22]

Personal life

Robertson has one child, a daughter born in 2010, from a previous marriage.[4][23] In October 2019 she announced her engagement on Instagram, though she later deleted the post.[24][25]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2004To Die 4LeadTelevision film; also writer
2005TwitchesIlleanaTelevision film
2005Knights of the South BronxParent #2Television film
2006Relative ChaosLil GilbertTelevision film
2012Sassy PantsMisty
2016Valentine Ever AfterMollyTelevision film
2016The Big CrushDonnaShort film
2016Holiday JoyMarcieTelevision film
2017Undercover GrandpaMrs. Bouchard
2021Single All the WayLisaNetflix Film
2022Hello, Goodbye, And Everything In BetweenNancyNetflix Film
2022In Merry MeasureGretchenHallmark Film
2022CrawlspaceDeputy Jordan Pacer

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1998SketchComUnknownEpisode: "The Bobroom and Pale by Comparison"; also writer (2 episodes)
2001Twice in a LifetimeInfomercial JeanEpisode: "The Choice"
2002Point BlankLady of the HouseEpisode: "Knockin' on Heaven's Door"; also writer (1 episode)
2002The Gavin Crawford ShowAlissonEpisode: "Gavin Crawford show"
2002The Holmes ShowNoneWriter (22 episodes)
2003The Seán Cullen ShowBetty6 episodes
2003–2004This Hour Has 22 MinutesHerself6 episodes; also writer (6 episodes)
2003–2010Comedy Inc.Various42 episodes; also writer (38 episodes)
2007Hannah MontanaFlight AttendantEpisode: "I Want You to Want Me... to Go to Florida"
2007The 1/2 Hour News HourJennifer Lange17 episodes
2008Billable HoursReporter #1Episode: "Citizen Clark"
2009Howie Do ItHerselfEpisode #1.5
2010Cra$h & BurnFaithEpisode: "Bond Blame Baptize"
2010The Dating GuyMiss Tiffany / Golden Lab (voice)Episode: "Spanking the Monkey"
2010–2011Degrassi: The Next GenerationCece Goldsworthy3 episodes
2010–2012Wingin' ItAngela Montclaire51 episodes
2011Scaredy SquirrelNoneWriter (3 episodes)
2012Little Mosque on the PrairiePoppy4 episodes
2012–2013Mr. DKate3 episodes
2013NikitaNewscaster #3Episode: "With Fire"
2013Saving HopeBeccaEpisode: "I Watch Death"
2013–2014Canada's Handyman ChallengeHerself / Host19 episodes
2015–2020Schitt's CreekJocelyn Schitt63 episodes
2017DisjointedSusanEpisode: "Donna Weed"
2021–Ginny & GeorgiaEllen Baker18 episodes
2024The Great Canadian Pottery Throw DownHost

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryWorkResultRef.
20048th Writers Guild of Canada AwardsBest Comedy & VarietyThis Hour Has 22 MinutesNominated
19th Gemini AwardsBest Writing in a Comedy or Variety Program or SeriesNominated
5th Canadian Comedy AwardsTelevision – Pretty Funny Writing – Special or EpisodeTo Die 4Nominated[26]
20067th Canadian Comedy AwardsBest Performance by a Female – FilmTwitchesWon[27]
Best Performance by a Female – TelevisionComedy Inc.Nominated[27]
200722nd Gemini AwardsBest Ensemble Performance in a Comedy Program or SeriesNominated
20164th Canadian Screen AwardsBest Supporting or Guest Actress, ComedySchitt's CreekNominated[28]
20186th Canadian Screen AwardsBest Supporting or Guest Actress, ComedyNominated[29]
20197th Canadian Screen AwardsBest Supporting or Guest Actress, ComedyNominated[30]
26th Screen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy SeriesNominated[31]
20208th Canadian Screen AwardsBest Supporting or Guest Actress, ComedyNominated[32]
27th Screen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy SeriesWon[33]

References